NEWS
Matt Niskanen didn’t practice on Sunday. According to the team, he’s taking a maintenance day. Taylor Chorney took Niskanen’s spot on the top defensive pairing. There were no changes to the forward lines at practice. Andre Burakovsky, who was a healthy scratch yesterday, was one of three wingers on the fourth line.

Looks like Burakovsky might have to wait to get back into the #Caps’ lineup. He’s currently on a four-man fourth line with Beagle, Chiasson and Stephenson.

SANTA?! I KNOW HIM!
After a busy night just one week ago delivering gifts all around the world, Kris Kringle (a.k. Santa Claus) flew in his sleigh from the North Pole to Kettler to check out the Capitals practice. Who knew Santa likes to play goalie?

Christian Djoos recorded a goal and an assist in the Capitals 5-2 win over the Devils last night. Djoos’ goal was his third of the season, tied for third among NHL rookie defensemen.

Both Djoos and Madison Bowey have recorded eight points on the year. Each are tied for fifth among rookie defensemen.

Djoos and Bowey are on pace to become the first pair of rookie Capitals defensemen to appear in at least 50 regular season games since the 1980-81 season (Howard Walker: 64, Darren Veitch: 59, James McTaggart: 52).